10 positive signs your job interview went well
Waiting for the result of a job interview takes a lot of guesswork. It is normal for job seekers to think about what they did wrong during the interview track than on what they did right. While your chances of being considered for the job can be difficult to figure out, there are some things you can look out for to help assess your success after the interview.
While the following signs are not 100% accurate, they are a good indicator that you have made quite a positive impression over the interviewer. Justin Honaman, Director of Customer Intelligence at Coca-Cola Customer Business Solutions, shares ten positive signs you may have aced that all-important job interview:
1. Return engagement
When the interviewer invites you back for another interview chances are you're one step closer to your dream job. Hiring Managers and employers alike won't spend their time inviting you to the next round if they aren't interested in getting to know you more. Honaman says, "The hiring manager does not want to waste any more time interviewing you if you are not a fit," and that "an invitation to the next round is a win."
2. Request for references
Another positive sign you left a good impression on the interviewer is when they request that you provide them with professional references. Honaman explains that"a company will not spend the time to do background checks and talk with references if you are out of the candidate pool," adding that you should "provide specific, knowledgeable references and bring those to the interview."
3. Meeting the rest of the team
When the employer introduces you to the rest of the team or tells you that there are a couple of people they would like you to meet, chances are that you have the job in the bag.
Honaman explains that "Leaders are protective of their team and will not risk introducing a candidate if they are not a potential fit to join the organization." When you're this close to getting the job, it's best that you go out of your way to be nice to everyone you meet.
4. Next steps
Another positive sign that the interview went well and that you're almost certain of being hired is when you're asked about how soon will you be able to start. This is the same as when you're applying whilst still employed. According to Honaman, "If the hiring manager is interested in moving forward with an offer, they will typically ask what steps need to be taken for your departure from your current organization so that you can assume the new role."
5. Salary expectation and negotiation
Honaman says that being asked about salary-related questions indicates that you're one step closer to landing the job. When the hiring manager or the employers discuss salary expectations or even negotiation, it's likely that they're seriously considering your application.
Honaman warns that you should be very cautious when answering such questions. He says that, "You can have the absolute best interview ever and be dead in the water if you answer this question incorrectly." He adds that "the question comes in two forms: "˜What are your salary expectations?' or "˜What is your current compensation?' Arrive at any interview with current compensation details written down for your own reference "” if asked "” and have an idea of how you will answer this question."
6. HR relationships
The people from the HR department are your first point of communication during your job search process. Often, after the job interview, the kind of feedback you get from them can be an indication of your chances of getting hired. Honaman suggests you take note of their comments, as they're a great guide to your projected result.
7. Question and answer
In most interviews, the hiring manager will ask if you have any questions as standard procedure, but spend less time with questions and answers if the interview has not gone well in their mind.
Clearly, when you have either the hiring manager or the employer trying to sell you on the business, the team, and the position, then you're more likely to get offered the chance to join the company.
8. Keeping the ball rolling
"At times, interviews will go well beyond the allotted time as the hiring manager or interview team wants to know more about you, or share with you more about the organization and role," Honaman says. It is safe to assume that if the hiring manager or the employer is genuinely interested in bringing you back for the next level of the job application process, they will spend more time getting to know you. If they are not interested in your candidacy, they won't even bother interviewing you longer than necessary.
9. Non-verbal cues
Non-verbal signals are also a good indicator of how well you did on your interview. Keep an eye on non-verbal cues such as note-taking, smiles, and head nods. These signs can mean that the interviewer is seriously considering your application. Honaman adds, "At the same time, if an interviewer is taking few notes, looking at their watch repeatedly [or] not asking detailed questions, the interview may not be going well."
10. Perfect fit
"Most leaders are looking for candidates that can easily fit into a team environment or operate well as an individual contributor," Honaman says. "If the hiring manager is interested in your taking the position, they will share additional details about the culture and shift into "˜sales' mode on the organization."
This is why it's important that you research about the company, the job posting, and the organization in detail so you can position yourself as the perfect fit for the job opening. If you are, hiring managers and employers alike will be sounding off their interest in having you join their company.
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